Would This New Jersey Republican Congressman Be a Better Fit for Alabama?
Ad criticizing Republican congressman Scott Garrett for his conservative views Image by Screenshot
By Nathan Guttman September 2, 2016
Supporters of Jewish Democratic congressional contender Josh Gottheimer believe his rival belongs in the Deep South.
A campaign ad released Friday by the House Majority PAC, takes aim at Republican incumbent Scott Garrett known for his ultra-conservative views which, the ad claims, do not fit his New Jersey constituency.
“His views are perfect for a rural Alabama conservative,” the 30-second spot states, quoting a Bloomberg editorial. “So why is Scott Garrett representing New Jersey?”
Garrett, who is in a close race against Gottheimer, has rebuked his party for supporting gay candidates and has voted to allow flying the Confederate flag in military cemeteries.
Gottheimer, a lawyer and former speechwriter for Bill Clinton, thinks he can capitalize on Garrett’s positions in a state known for moderate Republicans. So far, his campaign has done better that expected in polling and in fundraising.
During his campaign, Gottheimer reached out to Jewish voters in his district, which includes parts of Bergen, Passaic, Sussex and Warren counties, and has highlighted his support for Israel and his activism in AIPAC and in NORPAC, a local pro-Israel group.
Republican sources told Politico they doubt Gottheimer’s move to present his rival as too conservative for New Jersey will work, arguing that the district, which has elected Garret six times, remains reliably Republican.
Contact Nathan Guttman at guttman@forward.com or on Twitter, @nathanguttman
The Forward is free to read, but it isn’t free to produce
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.
Readers like you make it all possible. We’ve started our Passover Fundraising Drive, and we need 1,800 readers like you to step up to support the Forward by April 21. Members of the Forward board are even matching the first 1,000 gifts, up to $70,000.
This is a great time to support independent Jewish journalism, because every dollar goes twice as far.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
